The Football Field

Football is played on a field that measures 120 yards long by 53 and 1/3 yards wide. The endzones take up 20 yards, 10 yards each, so many people say that the field is only 100 yards long. This is incorrect!

Every time a team scores points it happens in the end zone. The end zones are 10 yards by 53 and 1/3 yards wide. The goal post is at the back of each end zone on the end line.

Next, yard lines run along the field of play helping players visualize the field and know where the ball is at all times.

An important yard line you should know is the 50-yard line. This is the middle of the field. Once you pass over the 50-yard line, you are in your opponent's territory. As you keep advancing, you will start getting to lower yard lines instead of higher yard lines.

Football Teams

Football is played between two teams of 11 players on the field of play. One team is always on offense while the other team is on defense. Teams take turns on offense and defense. Football is a special sport because even when a team is on defense, they can still score.

The Offense

The team on offense is the team with possession of the ball. While on offense, a team is trying to score points with touchdowns or field goals. The center, a player on the offensive line always starts with the ball at the beginning of every scrimmage down. When the quarterback yells "hike!", the center throws the ball through his legs to the quarterback to start the play. This is called the snap. The quarterback can pass the ball, hand it off to a running back, or run with it himself for a quarterback-sneak.

The defense can also force the offense to punt in order to get the ball back. This is the most common way that defenses get the ball back.

Scoring

In football, all scoring happens in the end zones. Teams can score points with touchdowns, field goals, and safeties.

A touchdown is worth six points and happens when a team brings the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Additional points can be earned after a touchdown by kicking the ball through the uprights for one point, or bringing the ball into the end zone again for two points. These extra points are called the try.

A safety gives the defense two points and happens when teams make a mistake with the ball in their own end zone. After a safety, the defense also gets the ball back. This is the only way for a team to automatically get the ball back after they score.